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FRENCH'S ACTING EDITION 
THE ELECTRIC MAN. 

(CHARLES HANNAN) 

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THE ELECTRIC MAN 



THE ELECTRIC MAN 

BEING THE ONE ACT VERSION OF THE 

SUCCESSFUL THREE ACT FARCICAL 

COMEDY OF THE SAME NAME 



By 
CHARLES HANNAN 

Author of 

A Cigarette Maker's Romance," " Master of the Situation," "The 

Coachman with Yellow Lace," "Iron Hand and Velvet Glove," 

"The World's Way," "United States," "Sweet Olivia," 

"Richard Wye," "The New Groom," "The Setting 

of the Sun," " The Gipsy," "A Fragment" "The 

Lily of the Field," etc., etc., and in 

collaboration with Wilson Barrett, 

"Our Pleasant Sins." 



Copyright, 19 10, by Samuel French, Ltd 



New York 

SAMUEL FRENCH 

Publisher 

28-30 WEST 38TH STREET 



London 

SAMUEL FRENCH Ltd 

26 Southampton Street 

STRAND 






Any costumes, wigs or properties used in the psrfor- 
mance of "The Electric ;Man " may be hired or 
purchased reasonably from Messrs. C. H. Fox, Ltd., 
27, Wellington Street, Strand, London. 



©CLD 21338 



THE ELECTRIC MAN. 

The three act successful farcical comedy, " The Electric 
Man," which may be obtained in manuscript from Messrs. 
Samuel French, Ltd., was first presented at the King's 
Theatre, Hammersmith, with Mr. Harcourt Beatty in the 
leading role, and was subsequently put on for a West End 
run at the Royalty Theatre on November 10, 1906, with Mr. 
Harry Nicholls as the Electric Man, the piece being trans- 
ferred to the Shaftesbury Theatre on Boxing Day of the same 
year. 



The condensed one act form of the play which follows was 
produced by Mr. Harry Nicholls at the Chelsea Palace and 
Metropolitan Halls with the greatest success on July 29, 
1907, cast thus : — 

Walter Everest and The Electric 

Man ...... Mr. Harry Nicholls. 

Dr. Jack Strange, a young physician, 

his friend ..... Mr. Laying Fcniie. 
Stella, Jack's sister, Walter's fiancee. Miss Fitzgerald. 
Mrs. Anderson, his landlady . . Miss Nellie Dade. 

Jobbins, a private detective and inquiry 

agent ...... Mr. Thorpe Tracey. 

Period : Present day. Morning. 
Time of representation : Twenty-six minutes. 



NOTES. 

Walter and the automaton are never upon the stage 
together, so that throughout the play Walter takes the 
figure's place by entering the cupboard " off." A super is 
required, however, to play " dummy," but when this happens 
the figure is seated in the cupboard with its back to audience. 

Costume for Walter and for the automaton : Walter 
wears a brown coat or jacket and trousers of the same, with 
a white waistcoat. The automaton is dressed exactly the 
same as to trousers and waistcoat, etc., but wears a black 
frock coat, and as they both usually keep the coat buttoned, 
the waistcoat is seldom seen. 

11 Funeral March of a Marionette " to accompany the auto- 
maton's scenes. The automaton walks very stiffly and 
jerkily, and moves his arms like a doll. 



PLAN OF SET. 



Opening with 

backing leading 

to hall 



Curtained 
entry to 
drawing- 
room 



n 

Table 



The 



Cupboard 



-I h 



Window 



1 "TV : 

Cun 



Table 



Sofa 



hina 
Cupboard 
- door 

Clock 



Door to 
bedroom 



D in F indicates the opening leading to hall. 

R the entry to drawing-room. 

There are curtains at each side of the window recess, 

And a Grandfather's clock against wall, front of china cup- 
board. 



THE ELECTRIC MAN 

Scene. — Walter's rooms in London. Moderately 
furnished sitting-room. 

On table r. a newspaper and two unopened letters. 

The table up in the alcove is set for luncheon. 

Walter's brown bowler is lying on chair or sofa l. 

The cupboard door has a spring so that it closes of itself 
when left open, a string being also tacked across the 
inside of the door so that Walter can pull the door 
to after him at end of play. A large bamboo rocking- 
chair is used for the figure, and is easily moved and 
turned as directed. 

{Enter Jack and Mrs. Anderson d. in f.) 

Mrs. Anderson. It's as I thought, sir, the pore 
young gent isn't up. 

Jack {looks at his watch). Was he late last night ? 

Mrs. Anderson. Oh, yes, sir, as I happens to 
know being woked up sudden, thinkering to hear a 
burgular, which was only Master Walter Everest, the 
gent I does for, a-creepering and a-crawlering up- 
stairs. 

Jack. Is he often like that ? {Takes up and 
looks at letters on table and puts them down again.) 

Mrs. Anderson. Lawk a floury ! no, sir, only 
breaks out occasional when his work's bad. Mr. 
Everest is a chemist and electerician. 



8 THE ELECTRIC MAN. 

Jack. Been working hard lately ? 

Mrs. Anderson. I believes as he have something 
very musterious and secret inventering at this here 
identical period of time, some mustery as he keeps in 
that there cupboard which the door is always locked 
constant. Oh, very musterious — and queer smells 
a-penetratering and parfuncteroring the house. Oh, 
here he are, sir. 

(Walter's door l. opens. She exits d. in f.) 

(Walter stumbles in l. He is not to look dissipated, 
but to act it.) 

Walter. Hullo „ hullo ! whose head is this ? It 
isn't mine, it can't be mine. Stop ! (Sits top of 
r table.) Stop ! (Picks up newspaper.) Morning 
paper, who wants morning paper ? (Throws it on 
floor behind him, and Jack, who is watching him, picks 
it up. Walter opens letter.) Letters, who wants 
letters ? — oh, one from my tailor, " We greatly regret 
delay in delivery of your new black coat. We will 
despatch it to reach your residence without fail to- 
day. May we remind you that your account ? " 

No, you may not remind me. 

(Jack gives him a rousing smack on the back.) 

Hullo, Jack, where did you spring from ? 

Jack. Came to town this morning. (Clasp hands.) 
Walter. Jack, I'm very ill. I haven't been out 
of doors till last night for weeks. Nothing but work 
at what my father left me. He gave his lifetime to it 
and then left it to me. It ought to have been the 
invention of the age. I went on the spree last night, 
when the whole thing failed. 

Jack. I have some news for you about your step- 
mother, Mrs. Everest. By the idiotic conditions of 
your late father's will — if the old lady marries again 
before your birthday on Monday next the whole 
fortune he left becomes not yours but hers. 



THE ELECTRIC MAN. 9 

Walter. He meant it the other way about. 

Jack. Yes, but that is how the will reads — instead 
of writing " He shall inherit," your father wrote 
" she shall inherit." She is the "she." About 
forty-five thou., isn't it ? 

Walter. Nearer fifty. 

Jack. An adventurer named Potterfield has 
lately come to the village, found out about the will, 
made love to the old lady, got a special license, and 
is bringing her to town to marry her to-morrow. 

Walter. What ? 

Jack. Stella is coming here directly. This wed- 
ding must be stopped or postponed. 

Walter. Jack, something's got to be done — 
suppose I were taken ill — very ill. 

Jack. No good at all. 

Walter. Well, suppose that — no, that's no use — 
suppose again that — no, that's no good either. I 
have a dim kind of idea that in some way my inven- 
tion is going to help us. 

Jack. You said it had failed. 

Walter. It failed living ; it might be of use dead. 
(Swiss J odd.) Hullo, tra la la ! (Momentary dissi- 
pated business.) 

(Stella enters d. in f.) 

Walter. Hullo, Stella how are you ? Jack has told 
me all about this adventurer, Potterfield. I've 
an idea to checkmate my stepmother. (Gives 
her seat.) I'm going to postpone their marriage not 
by being ill — I'm going to die. What do you think 
of that ? 

Jack. I think it's the weakest thing I ever heard 
of. 

Walter. In that cupboard there is a figure exactly 
like myself which was timed to spring into existence 
yesterday at 5 p.m. — only it didn't. It's the work 
my father never completed. Something went wrong. 
There the figure is and will remain, dead as a nut. 



10 THE ELECTRIC MAN. 

I even dressed it in my best clothes, gave it a name, 
too, christened it Cyril Davidson. 

Stella. Cyril Davidson ? (Laughs.) 

Jack. What was the little idea of making it like 
yourself ? 

Walter. My father's instructions were to make 
the man I was creating a handsome, good-looking 
fellow, according to the very best available model. 
All you've got to do is to produce the dead figure and 
say it's me. I'll go away to Brighton ; they can't in 
common decency marry before the funeral. 

Jack. Then it seems you made an electric man. 
My chief doubt is it won't be like enough. 

Walter. Come and see ! 

(Music. He takes key from pocket, unlocks door of 
cupboard, and a man in black frock-coat, with black 
bowler, is seen seated with back to audience.) 

Stella. Oh, how wonderful ! (Looking in.) 
Jack. Wonderful ! (Looking in.) 
Stella. Walter, that is you ! 

(Bell rings off d. in f.) 

Walter. Bell ! — that may be my stepmother ! 
(He quickly closes cupboard.) We might go into the 
other room. I call it my drawing-room, because there 
is a piano and three gold-fish in a bowl. 

(Stella goes into room r.) 

Jack, in case she comes I'd better be off. Can you 
lend me any cash ? 

Jack. How much do you want ? (Producing 
loose cash.) 

Walter. Two or three pounds. (Looks in Jack's 
hand.) I'll take four. (Does so.) Stop, I'll give you 
a duplicate key of the cupboard. (Gives key.) The 
figure has got my black coat on, and I want it for 
Brighton. When you come back, it will be wearing 
this one. (Pointing to coat he is wearing.) 



the Electric man. ii 

Jack. Right. 

Walter. Explain that to Stella. 

Jack. Right oh ! (Jack goes into drawing-room r.) 

(Walter picks up and puts on his brown bowler, goes 
quickly tip, unlocks cupboard, puts key back in pocket, 
then goes in after saying :) 

Walter. Now, Mr. Davidson, my coat, if you 
please. 

(He opens door wide, showing figure sealed as before, 
then goes in and the door closes.) 

(He is then heard calling loudly in cupboard :) 

I say! let me go! confound you — Jack — Jack — I 
say ! the thing is moving ! 

(Loud noise of struggle.) 

Hold on, damn it ! don't hit me on the head ! Do 
you want to STUN me ? Jack ! 

(A loud cry and two thumps, then the cupboard door 
slowly opens, Automaton puts head out — the actor 
having had time to change into the black coat before 
entering as the automaton. It creeps out, not opening 
the door more than necessary — business, tries to re-open 
door by hitting it. It wears the black bowler set to 
one side of head. Comes down c, stiffly, and remarks, 
" Yow," then goes up. Mrs. Anderson enters d. in 
F. with dishes and sets table in recess with back to 
audience. He goes towards Mrs. Anderson. She 
starts on seeing his strange manner. He turns and 
goes across and straight off d. in f., she goes after him.) 
Mrs. Anderson (calling after him). Mr. Everest, 

sir ! 

(Exit Automaton d. in f.) 
(Exit Mrs. Anderson d. in f.) 
(Jack and Stella enter from r.) 
Jack. I left him changing his coat. 



12 THE ELECTRIC MAN. 

Stella (looking out of window). There he is turn- 
ing the corner ; he has changed his coat. 

Jack. Let's have a proper look at this wonderful 
thing before the old lady comes. 

(They fetch out chair with Walter seated on it and 
bring it down stage, where they wheel the chair right 
round so that the stunned Walter faces audience. 
He is hatless.) 

Stella. Hasn't it slipped down in the chair since 
we saw it last ? 

Jack. I don't think so. 

Stella. Look at its eyes — Jack, they're opening — 
it's moving ! 

Jack. Great Heavens ! it's being born ! 

Walter (half stunned and waking). Where am I ? 

Stella. It speaks ! 

Jack. It's living ! 

Walter. I want a drink ! 

Jack. Good lord ! It drinks ! 

(Stella screams and falls on seat. Bell again rings 
loudly off r.) 

Hullo! there's Mrs. Everest! (He takes W alter, 
who has risen, by the arm.) Come with me, sir (leads 
him to bedroom l.). In there with you, quick ! 

(Kicks him in quickly, and locks door.) 

(Stella meantime has hurried up with the chair and 
put it in cupboard and closes door.) 

Phew ! this is the most extraordinary thing ! (Hurries 
down, saying :) Where are the telegraph forms ? 

(A s he snatches them from nail on wall, and sits to write R. , 
Mrs. Anderson enters d. in f. out of breath and 
with a telegram ; she is in process of dressing, 
her hair being in disorder, and she wears a dressing 
jacket.) 

Mrs. x\nderson. Telegrapheram, sir. (Down and 
gives it.) 



THE ELECTRIC MAN. 13 

Jack {looking at telegram). From Mrs. Everest — 
" Have missed train, don't wait lunch — coining by 
next." Thank goodness ! (To Mrs. Anderson.) 
I suppose you don't know where I can find a detec- 
tive ? 

Mrs. Anderson. Yes, sir, I does. Being my 
own nephew as lives in the attic. 

Jack (writes several telegrams, as :) I want him at 
once 

Mrs. Anderson. Lawk a floury me ! 

(Hurries out d. in F.) 

Stella. What are you writing ? (Takes up one 
of the telegrams.) " Walter Everest, Ship Hotel, 
Brighton. Cyril Davidson is living. Come home." 

(Walter knocks loudly at bedroom door.) 

Jack ! listen ! 

Jack (still writing — knocking repeated). Coming — 
coming. 

(Knocking ceases — he continues.) 

This goes to every hotel in Brighton. 
Stella. He may not be at an hotel. 
Jack. That's why I've sent for a detective 

(Jobbins enters, hat in hand and umbrella under arm ; 
he is a stout man, rather shabbily dressed in tweed, 
with tweed frock-coat, and has a square-topped bowler. ) 

Jobbins. My name is Jobbins, sir. (Gives large 
card.) Private inquiry and detective agent, utmost 
secrecy and despatch, parties watched, missing rela- 
tives traced, divorces ensured. 

Jack. This is a very simple matter, Mr. Jobbins. 
The gentleman who resides here left home suddenly. 
I want him fetched back at once. (Sits and writes 
note as :) 

Jobbins. Yes, sir (goes up, then returns), where is 
he ? (With notebook open to take notes.) 



14 THE ELECTRIC MAN. 

Jack. Brighton. 

Jobbins (notes). Brighton — what hotel, sir ? 

Jack. Do you think if I knew what hotel I should 
require a detective ? 

Jobbins. Then how am I to find him ? 

Jack. The best thing will be to take the first train 
to Brighton. 

Jobbins (notes). First train to Brighton. 

Jack. He may be at a boarding-house. 

Jobbins (notes). Possibly a boarding-house. 

Jack. When you find him give him this note 
(closing it and giving it), and send me a wire. (Gives 
five-pound note.) There is some cash for your expenses. 

Stella. How is he to know Walter ? 

Jack. Isn't there a photograph ? (Finds one on 
mantel r.) Here we are. (Gives it.) 

Jobbins. I'll walk about the Brighton streets with 
this — why, I seen this gent in the public gardens five 
minutes ago. 

Jack. Then after him and bring him back. 

Jobbins (at d. in f.). You'll hear from me — BY 
WIRE. 

(Exit.) 

Jack (calls out after him). Follow him to Victoria ; 
if you miss him, go right on. (Comes down.) I've 
forgotten these telegrams. 

Stella. I'll take them. 

Jack (gives them). Have you any cash ? 

Stella. Yes. (Hurries out d. in f.) 

(A very loud peremptory knocking at d.l. Jack listens 
a moment — it is repeated.) 

Jack. Getting nasty ! (Loud knocking.) 

Walter (off, calls). I say — let me out ! 

Jack. Now if I had not known, I should have said 
that was Walter. The voice was a trifle thick at 
starting, but now its identical. 

Walter (off). Let me out. (Loud knocking.) 



THE ELECTRIC MAN. 15 

Jack. I suppose I'll have to. 

(He goes and unlocks door and returns to r. front — 
Walter comes out.) 

Walter. What is the meaning of all this ? 

Jack. That's exactly what I want to know. 

Walter. Locking a fellow in a bedroom. 

Jack (aside). Calls itself a fellow and knows it's a 
bedroom ! 

Walter. I feel as stupid (he is still half-stunned) 
as an owl. Where is Stella ? 

Jack. Knows about Stella ! 

Walter. What are you muttering ? 

Jack. Knows I'm muttering ! 

Walter. Well ? 

Jack. Well. 

Walter. Why the devil don't you speak ? 

Jack. Knows there's a devil ! I really don't 
quite know what to do with you till your creator 
returns. 

Walter. What ?— How ? 

Jack. What or how— same thing. This is a 
pretty pickle, Mr. Cyril Davidson. 

Walter. Mr. What ? 

Jack. Of course you don' know your name yet ; 
that is what you were christened, Cyril Davidson, so I 
call you Cyril Davidson. 

Walter. Oh, you do, do you ? that's very clever 
of you. My mind's a blank, I can't remember what 
happened before I woke up on that chair. 

Jack. No one remembers what happened before 
they were born. 

Walter (bangs a book down on table). Oh, damned 
nonsense ! 

Jack. I wonder what you think of the world now 
you've come into it ; what are your general impressions 
of mankind ? 

Walter. Was this why you locked me in the 
bedroom ? 



16 THE ELECTRIC MAN. 

Jack. Exactly. 

Walter. And are you going to keep this up ? 

Jack. Decidedly. 

Walter. I can't see much sense in it myself ; 
however, if it pleases you — I'm going to have some 
lunch. (Goes up to table in recess.) 

Jack (calls up). Mr. Davidson ! (No answer.) 
I've made it angry. (Calls). Mr. Davidson — I say, 
Davidson — -Mr. Cyril Davidson — sir, — oh, it's in a pet 
and declines to answer me. 

(Stella enters d. in f.) 

Stella. Jack, a boy brought this. (Gives note.) 

Jack (tears it open). Jobbins is something like a 
detective. " Just seen Mr. Everest, he is running. 
Jobbins." 

Stella. Running ? 

Jack. The electric individual is in there. 

Stella. You let it out ? What is it doing ? 

Jack. Lunching. 

Walter (at table in alcove, mixing salad). Nothing 
here but salad ! (With beer bottle.) Beer, who wants 
beer ? 

Jack. Knows all about everything ! 

Stella. It's been listening in the cupboard before 
it lived. (Pause and then asks.) Should we speak 
to it ? 

Jack. It's very bad-tempered, but I daresay it 
won't hurt you. (They go up.) I say, Davidson! 

Walter. Bah ! (They start back.) 

Stella. Poor thing ! tell it it's amongst friends. 

(They again approach.) 

Jack. This young lady is very anxious to make 
your acquaintance, Mr. Davidson ! 

(Walter smashes crockery with a beer bottle ; they start 
and come down in fright, then approach again.) 

Stella. Please, Mr. Davidson ! 



THE ELECTRIC MAN. 17 

Walter (turns). Oh, you've come back ; has 
Jack told you what he's playing at ? 

(He comes down a little — they retreat from him.) 

Jack. Isn't it wonderful ! Calls me Jack ! 

Walter (as they are staring at him). When you've 
done staring, perhaps you'll drop this. 

Stella. Jack, I can't believe it ! (Walter 
walks about in rage.) 

Jack. At first I couldn't, but there is a difference, 
I begin to see it, a very subtle difference ; watch how- 
it moves ; aren't its joints a little stiff and so on ? 

Walter (quick step to him). You thick-headed- 
addle-pated numskull ! 

(Jack in fright falls headlong backwards over sofa l., 
Stella runs and crouches r., then they rise on knees 
and wave to pacify him.) 

Jack. Gently, gently ! 

Stella. Oh, please, Mr. Davidson, please don't be 
so angry ; we are both awfully interested in you and 
really sorry for you. It must be terrible to be born 
full grown. 

Walter. Am I mad, or are you ? 

Jack. You are. 

Walter. That's settled. 

Stella. Of course, you think you're real, but we 
know. You're only a made thing, like a cheese or a 
pudding. 

Walter (hand to head). You honestly say and 
believe that I am my own invention ? (They nod 
solemnly.) 

Walter. Am I myself, or am I the thing I made ? 

Jack. You are the thing you made. 

Walter. Then where is myself — the other fellow ? 

Jack. Your esteemed creator left home before you 
began to exist, changed coats and went. 

Walter. Changed coats ? I never changed coats 
at all ! 



18 THE ELECTRIC MAN. 

fc A J WhatP 

Walter. The moment I tried to, the figure rose 
up and stunned me. 

Stella (up to him, throws arms round him). It's 
Walter ! 

(Enter Mrs. Anderson with telegram d. in f., and 
gives it. Jack opens it.) 

Mrs. Anderson (seeing Walter). Ow ! Ow ! 
Lawk a floury me ! 

(Exit.) 

Jack. Jobbins is somewhere near Euston. (Gives 
telegram to Stella.) 

Walter. Who's Jobbins ? 

Jack. The detective who's gone after you to bring 
you back. 

Walter. Then it really went out ? 

Stella (reading telegram). " Have taken a cab, 
he's still running." What will happen if Mr. Jobbins 
catches it ? 

Walter. I expect he will catch it. 

Jack. Another telegram ! (Going up to d. in f.) 

(Mrs. Anderson hands in a telegram and retires.) 

(Coming down, reading:) "He has smashed some 
more windows, and is still running." 

Stella (taking the telegram). More windows ! 

Jack. " The crowd are still after him." 

Walter. Crowd ? 

Jack. " He has just climbed a tall chimney stack 
marked Bovril, and is now sitting on the top." 

Walter. Good Lord ! 

Jack. " Marked Bovril," is this to be your fate, 
alas, my poor brother ! 

Walter (snatches the wire and reads). " They are 
fetching a fire escape. He keeps yowling." 

Stella (taking telegram). Yowling ? 



THE ELECTRIC MAX. 19 

Walter. Suppose the police get him and think 
it's me, I'll be blamed for all this damned thing. 
We must catch him. We'll buy a gag and handcuffs 
as we go along. 

Stella. Gag ? Why ? 

Walter. Because he's yowling ! Stop ! Stella 
must stay in case Mrs. Everest comes. (Calls.) 
Mrs. Anderson ! I want a cab ! 

(He and Jack rush out d. in f.) 

Stella. I'm so excited I think I'll play the piano 
in the other room. 

(Exit r. to drawing-room and immediately plays and 
sings " Caressante.") 

(Automaton enter s d. in f., in black frock-coat, but now 
hatless, goes to cupboard, paws at the door, goes and 
knocks over chair, then to table up L. and takes up a 
tumbler, brings it down mechanically to front c, half 
raises it, then lets it fall on the floor and sits by tabic 
R., facing audience and says :) 

Automaton. Tick-tick-Yow. 

(Mrs. Anderson enters d. in f. with a black frock-coat 
in tailor's parcel, places it on table r. top end, then 
sees Automaton and comes out c, to speak.) 

Mrs. Anderson. Oh, he's there, are he ? (Using 
handkerchief as she speaks.) 

Automaton. Yow. 

Mrs. Anderson. There's a parcel from the tailor- 
ing folks with a message hopering as it were in time. 

Automaton. Yow-Yow. (She starts a little.) 

Mrs. Anderson. The pore young lady is a-sitter- 
ing in there. 

Automaton. Tick-tick. Yow-yow ! (Same busi- 
ness.) 

Mrs. Anderson. Ain't you in good 'ealth, Mr. 
Everest, sir ? 

Automaton. Yow-chuck, Yow-yow. 

(Rises and makes mechanical exit to bedroom L.) 



•20 THE ELECTRIC MAN. 

Mrs. Anderson (watching him). Pore-young-man ! 

(Enter Stella r.) 

Mr. Everest have come back, mum ; gone in his 
bedroom, mum; been to the pub. -house again, or I'm 
much mistook. Pore-young-man ! 

(Exit d. in f.) 

Stella (calls across). Walter, here's a parcel — 
Walter ! 

(Automaton enters door l., but does not come 
out, she sees him.) 

Walter, why have you left Jack ? Is anything 
wrong ? 

Automaton. Yow ! (Turns and goes in again 

D.L.) 

Stella (crossing to the door). Walter ! (Door 
shuts.) How very polite of you ! Are you changing ? 
(Voice off says," Yow.") Oh, very well, if you won't 
answer me. I'm in the drawing-room all alone ! 

(Has crossed back to r., and goes in.) 

Automaton (enters l.). Tick-chuck-yow. (Goes 
up, hits door of cupboard twice.) Chuck-yow-yow. 

(Goes to recess, knocks over a chair, hits clock, etc., and 
goes into china cupboard in recess l. A loud noise of 
smashing of crockery off. Stella through this is 
playing and singing same air as before.) 

(Walter comes in d. in f., as soon as ever he can, 
walking quite quietly as contrast to the very quick exit 
of Automaton. Brown jacket.) 

Walter (comes to table -Recalling). Stella ! I want 
you. Stella ! 

Stella (stops singing a moment to call). I'm not 
coming ! (Resumes song off.) 

Walter (takes up parcel). My new coat at last. 
The moment I get Davidson under lock and key I'm 



THE ELECTRIC MAX. 21 

going to change into this and get away to Brighton. 
(Puts parcel down.) 

(Stella enters r.) 

Why wouldn't you come a minute ago ? 

Stella. Why did you shut that door in my face ? 

Walter. When ? 

Stella. After you went out. 

Walter. After I went out — before I came 
home ? Did I speak ? 

Stella. No. 

Walter. It's as plain as a pikestaff, it's come 
home ! 

Stella (slowly and firmly). I believe you're right. 
Now I've seen you both I'll never mistake again. 

Walter. It must be somewhere on the premises 
now. 

(They hurriedly look about under furniture, and meet 
and collide up c, and say, " Oh ! " Noise in china 
cupboard.) 

Walter. It's in the bedroom. Run down to 
Mrs. Anderson and borrow the very largest blanket. 
Stella. Why ? 
Walter. I want something to throw over it. 

(Stella exit d. in f.) 

Walter (listens to fresh sounds.) No ! It's in the 
china cupboard ! 

(A wooden hand with fingers extended is mysteriously 
thrust out of china cupboard door. He gets a plate 
and smashes it on this hand, which is at once with- 
drawn. This can be done with a real hand and smash 
plate on door near it.) 

(He quickly turns key.) 

Walter. Got it — got it ! 

(He jubilantly dances down c, then goes and calls out 
d. in F.) 



22 THE ELECTRIC MAN. 

Stella, Stella, I've locked it in the china cupboard. 
I don't want the blanket. (Returns.) Gone in the 
kitchen, I suppose ! (Takes up parcel.) Change my 
coat at last and get away ! (Goes into bedroom l.) 

(Immediately on his exit a loud smashing in china 
cupboard, then the door flies into splinters and is 
knocked down, and Automaton enters quickly, 
hurries right round c, and into bedroom after 
Walter.) 

Walter (within, as loud noise in bedroom). Hi ! 
stop ! 

Automaton (within). Yow-yow. 

Walter (rushing in, dressed in black coat.) By 
Jove ! what an escape ! 

(Jack, carrying blanket of green flannel or red, enters 
with Stella, who has gag and handcuffs — enter 
d. in F.) 

(Walter makes signs to them, pointing to bedroom and 
beckoning them to follow him there.) 

Jack. Is that it ? 

Stella. Yes, yes, Jack, yes ! 

(Jack throws blanket over Walter, and they get him 
on chair c.) 

Jack. Hurrah ! we've got him now ! (Business : 
secure him with rope round his legs and gag, then take 
blanket off.) (Walter, gagged, groans.) No more 
climbing tall chimney stacks ! (Walter groans.) 

Stella. Is it in pain ? 

Jack. Of course not. 

Stella. It groans so ! 

Jack. Rather mad at being caught. 

Stella. Is it wax-work ? 

Jack. More like indiarubber. I suppose you do 
see the difference this time ? 

Stella. Rather. 

Jack. That's not flesh and blood. (Pulling its 
nose.) 



THE ELECTRIC MAN. 23 

Stella. It seems to want to explain something. 

Jack. It will never get the chance of that. {Light- 
ing a candle from mantel r.) 

Stella. Poor thing ! are you tired of living ? 
{Groan.) 

Jack. How can it answer you ? 

Stella. I believe it could if you took the gag out 
of its mouth. 

Jack. Hold the candle under its nose. {Groan.) 

Stella. No, no, no ! (Jack puts candle on table.) 

Jack {with pin from waistcoat). I want to see what 
it will do when I stick this pin in it. {Groan.) 

Stella. No, no ! 

Jack. In its leg, you can nip its arms and legs. 
{Does so — groan.) 

Stella. It doesn't seem to like being nipped. 

Jack. In the interests of science I'm going to 
bleed it. {Loud groans.) Give me a carving knife. 
{Groans.) 

(Mrs. Anderson has entered and come down — sees 
Walter, screams. They start.) 

Mrs. Anderson. The gent I does for came down 
the other stair from the bedroom {pointing l.) and is 
in the kitchen premises at this here identical period of 
time. 

Jack. What ! Is he ? 

Mrs. Anderson. Here have I been a-doing for 
two twins at the price of one. 

Jack {bustles Mrs. Anderson to d. in f.). Send 
Mr. Everest up at once ! {Exit Mrs. Anderson.) 

Jack. Now to make an end of this fiend ! 

(Walter, who has been watching them as well as he 
could, now pretends to be dead.) 

Hullo ! I don't think I'll want any instruments, it's 
passing away ! {Business. ) Not breathing ! {Looks 
at watch.) It's eyes are closed. Oh ! it's run down. 
I believe we'd be quite safe to unbind it. Just help 
me with this rope. Let it pass away quietly on the 



24 THE ELECTRIC MAN. 

sofa. There is something pathetic even in the death 
of a doll. 

{They unbind Walter and raise him, he opens his 
eyes and bounds upon Jack — commotion.) 

Confound it, it's living again ! 

(Stella runs in room r., Jack runs in room l.) 

Walter (as Jack looks in l., and Stella looks in 
r.). I say ! (They at once withdraw.) Jack ! 
Stella ! (Heads appear again.) I say ! Jack ! 
(Heads disappear.) Come out, you bounder ! (Heads 
appear.) Why are you making such idiots of your- 
selves ? 

Jack (coming in). Who are you ? 

Walter. Walter Everest. 

Jack. The other fellow said that. 

Walter. I am the other fellow. 

Jack. Then I've let the automaton escape ! 

Walter. Escape ? 

Jack. It must be in the kitchen now ! 

Walter. I have a particularly heavy poker in my 
room, I'll just fetch it. 

Jack. And then ? 

Walter. We'll see what then ! (Has gone into 
bedroom l.) 

Jack. This is a nice muddle ! What asses we've 
been ! 

Stella. Yes, haven't we ? 

Jack. By Jove ! we have. 

(Automaton comes in d. in f., followed by Mrs. 
Anderson with a telegram — they both go quickly 
into drawing-room r.) 

Mrs. Anderson (calling as she goes). Telegraph- 
eram, Mr. Everest, sir ! 

Stella (down l. with Jack points up to them as they 
go out). Jack ! look ! 

(Piano is smashed off R.) 
Oh, what's that ? 



THE ELECTRIC MAN. 25 

Jack. That's the piano ! {Glass is smashed off r.) 
That's the three gold-fish in the bowl ! 

(Walter with -poker enters l.) 

Mrs. Anderson (off). Oh, help ! (She rushes in 
from R. in a fainting condition and gasps.) Mr. Everest 
have fell out of the window into the street ! 

Walter. Mrs. Anderson, I am here. 

(She gives a loud yell of fright in his face and rushes 
into bedroom l. Stella hastens after her.) 

Walter. There's going to be no mistake this 
time, I'm going after it myself. (Exit d. in f.) 

(Jobbins enters d. in f., his hat bashed, a black eye, 
and one arm in a sling. He is in a miserable 
condition.) 

Jack. Great goodness ! Jobbins ! 

Jobbins. What's left of him, sir 1 

Automaton (off at back). Yow-yow. 

Jobbins (on his knees clings to Jack). I calls on 
you to protect me ! 

Jack. We must search this house from top to toe. 
You chase up, I'll chase down. And if we don't find 
him, meet here. 

Jobbins. I'll do that (they go up), meet here ! 

(Exeunt.) 

Stella (looks in l.). Jack, she's getting better — 
Jack ! where are 3^011 ? (Goes in again.) 

(Jobbins enters d. in f., comes down, saying:) 

Jobbins. Missed him ! (Sits l. of r. table). I'll 
just make out my little bill. 

(As he is doing this, Automaton enters d. iriF., comes 
down and has a spasm with his hands, knocking off Job- 
bins' hat. Jobbins with a loud yell rushes out d. in 
f. Automaton knocks furniture about, etc., and 
goes into china cupboard. (He may throw a chair out 
of window first.) Stella comes in l. to see his final 



2fi THE ELECTRIC MAN. 

exit. She then goes up, looks into china cupboard 
after him — then comes downstage, calling in fright:) 

Stella. Help! Help! Help! 

(Jack and Jobbins bring Walter on between them d. 
in f., and bring him down c, and Mrs. Anderson 
enters L.) 

Walter. Let me go, let me go, I say ! 
Stella. Jack, you've got the wrong man ! 

(They release him.) 

Mrs. Anderson. There's a telegrapheram, sir ; is 
it for you or your twin ? 

Jack (snatches it and reads). From Mrs. Everest — 
" Potterfield fell out of his dogcart and broke his 
leg. The wedding is postponed." 

Stella. Postponed ! 

Jack. Congratulate you, old chap (shaking hands). 
Your fortune's safe. 

(Noise off and lights down as :) 

Walter. Hush, hush ! all of you. It's coming 
out to die ! 

(Stella hides on floor front of sofa l. Mrs. Ander- 
son hides on knees front of table r. Jobbins stands 
by clock against wall up l. Jack sets cupboard door 
open with chair against it and then goes and stands in 
recess to r., side of same, and Walter goes off to hide 
behind the curtain of recess l., side where there is a 
secret exit, so that he at once comes on as Automa- 
ton from the china cupboard.) 

(A man's hand holds out the curtain behind which 
Walter is supposed to be hiding. Dying scene for 
Automaton. Jerky business, frightens Jobbins 
who crouches back from it, then goes c, stoops and 
groivs faint, has a spasm of strength and hurries to 
table r., frightening Mrs. Anderson, who gets under 
table. It then leans dying against table, then has a 



THE ELECTRIC MAN. 27 

fresh spasm, hurrying across to Stella, who lies 
away from it on floor to avoid it. ) 

(Then up to cupboard door, which Jack set open with a 
chair. Automaton dies with back to inside of door, 
pushing the chair clear of it in his spasm, business, 
finally shutting himself in as he collapses by letting the 
door close after him.) 

(Red limes changing to green through above, and dark 
floats. ) 

(Lights up — all rise.) 

Stella (cries). Walter! (Music of " Car -essatile.") 

(Walter comes out from behind curiam l and down to 
Stella c, takes her in his arms.) 

Walter. It's Walter this time, and if you want 
proof, open the cupboard and you'll find all that 
remains of 

THE ELECTRIC MAN. 

Curtain. 



Charles Hannan's one act plays, " The Setting of the Sun," 
11 The New Groom," " Richard Wye," " The Gipsy," " A 
Fragment," " The Clock," " The Lily of the Field," may also 
be obtained from Messrs. Samuel French, Ltd. 




DRAWING ROOM, 




Only aept iu cne large size, the back scene is 13 feet long and 9 feet higo and ex- 
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with mirror above, and on the right, wing is an oil painting. The whole scene is 
tastefully ornamented and beautifully coloured, forming a most elegant picture. 
The above is a representation of a box scene consisting of 38 sheets of paper, 
the extra sheets being used for the doors each side. 

£ s. d. 
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Ditto, mounted 4 4 

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COTTAGE 




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re is a door 1 ading outside. 
:entre is a window. On the 
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FRENCH'S ACTING EDITION- LIBRARY OF CONGRESS I 



VOLUME 150 
KS6 The Dentist 
2237 Taken for Granted 
S2SS Just as Well 
2239 Hosroany 
BM Pansy 

2241 A Doctor's Engage- 

ments 

2242 A Duet 

22 43 My Milliner's Bill, Is. 

2244 My Aunt from Cali- 

fornia 

2245 His Life for Hers 

2246 The Meeting 

2247 The Umbrella 

Duologue 

e Late Lamented 

2249 Woman Triumphant 

2250 Angelica's Lover 

VOLUME 15J 

2251 Chrysanthemums 

2252 Mv First Client 

2253 Punctured 

2254 Old Pals 

neymoon Tragedy 

2256 Commission 

2257 Hal, the Highwayman 

2258 Dinner for Two 

•inth Waltz 

2260 Human Sport 

2261 Collaborators 

2262 Mere Man 

2263 Packing Up 
2254 Paying GueBt 
2265 'Enery Brown 

VOLUME 152 
226R The JUt 
2267 'Op-o'-Me-Thumb 
226S A Marriage Has Been 
Arranged 

2269 Carrots 

2270 Conversion of Nat 

St B 



014 



2271 Clerical 

2272 Aubrey! 

2273 Workbo: 

2274 Two on : 

2275 Bridget' 
Inat Br 

ell M? 

2278 Maker oi .uen 

2279 Gutter of Time 
2i80 Game of Chess 



VOLUME 153 

2231 Mr. Steinmann'a 
Corner 

2282 Ella's Apology 

2283 Colour Sergeant 

2284 Helpless Couple 

2285 First Aid to the 

Wounded 

2286 Correct Thing 

2287 Their New Paying 

Guest 

2288 Domestic Entangle- 

ment 
- .It of Life 

2290 Time is Money 

2291 Wallv and the Widow 

2292 Deceitful Miss Smiths 

2293 Holly Tree Inn 

2294 Up-to-date 

22e5 Eit of Old Chelsea 

VOLUME 154 

2296 Wrong Side of the 

Road 

2297 The Open Door 

2293 Prima Donna (Pem- 
berton) 

2299 Lights Out (Pemberton) 

2300 Mirror of Time 

2301 Three Blind Mice 

(Muskerry) 

2302 Privy Council 

2303 Snowed up with a 

Duchess 



dartha 
s De- 

432 660 ft % w 

Lucinrta 

2310 Uncle Dick's Darling 

VOLUME 155 

2311 That Horrid Maior 

2312 Bardwell v. Pickwick 

2313 House of Nightingales 

2314 Turtle Dovee [dei 

2315 SiiperiorMissPellen- 

2316 His Good Genius 

2317 Martha Plays the Fain 

2318 Dumb Cake 

2319 Proposing by Proxy 

2320 Phoenix 

232: Boatswain's Mate 

2322 Final Rehearsal 

2323 Two Aunts at a Time 

2324 Nelson Touch 

2325 Convict on the Heartl 

VOLUME 156 - 

2326 Grey Parrot 

2327 Ghost of Jerry Bundle 
2323 Bishop's Candlesticks 

2329 Peacemaker 

2330 Changeling 

2331 Wire Entanglement 

2332 Pride of Regiment 

2333 ":58S" 

2334 Man on the Herb 

2335 O'Dowd 

2336 Impertinence of th 

Creature 

2337 Dramatist at Home 

: art ha the Sooth sayg 
2339 Old Martha Is. 

Through Martha It 



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